SWANK RALLY LADIES - THE VERY FIRST EDITION

Sep 21, 2022

Ladies and gentle(wo)men,

the first DEUS SWANK RALLY LADIES is a fact.

Deus Ex Machina launched the first edition of the Deus Swank Rally Ladies during the latest Women Motor Bootcamp, in beautiful Montagnana, North Italy.

For those who haven’t yet heard about this edition, this is a special one. The Women Motor Bootcamp event originates from the sole purpose to share a passion for motorcycles, engines and sports in general with other women by creating a community where women can share their passion and build long term connections in an environment that feels accessible.

With over a thousand women ready to ride at the last Women Motor Bootcamp, we’ve found that this was the perfect opportunity to introduce a ladies edition of the Deus Swank Rally.

The rules are the same of any Swank Rally: the participants have to register their own time on a track, trying to reach the best time possible. Vintage motorcycles, inappropriate and special motorcycles are allowed, not to forget the ‘swanky’ outfits in line with your motorcycles. What a blast to see so many Swanky female riders in this first ladies edition.

Not only the pros, but even the most inexperienced ladies were encouraged to participate by the overall amazing atmosphere and the grins from those stepping on a bike for the very first time. We’re pretty sure last weekend has kickstarted a lifelong passion and aspiration for at least a handful of participants. That on its own is already enough to call the event a success.

Although riders of all levels were encouraged to take part in the rally, this Swank was surely not a rookies only. No one other than Anna Sappino, 9 times Italian Enduro Champion, joined the tracks and showed us how it’s done… also when she took a Piaggio Bravo on the track. Hanna Verweij, Head of Deus Netherlands, came all the way down from Amsterdam joining the rally on her vintage bike while showing what the Deus Women is about. And of course no other than the ‘Godmother of the Swank Rally’ herself and founder of the Women’s Motorcycle Bootcamp, Domitilla Quadrelli, joined as a perfect representative for vigorous women in a mostly masculine motorcycle world. Something we wholeheartedly encourage, as it’s far from a paved road. The first Deus Swank Rally Ladies carves a road for Deus Women all over the world and encourages women to dust off their (grandpa’s) vintage bikes and take it for a spin.

The diverse mix of power women joining the Deus Swank Rally Ladies, really showed what a Swank Rally is all about: simply having fun and connecting over two wheel passion. And eating a lot of dust. Besides some mad skills on the track, many ladies brought their amazing vintage ánd inappropriate bikes to Montagnana. Literally carving a road for all Deus Women, while being dressed to impress. We’re ladies after all.

A lot of fun was had, but let’s not forget that there was something big at stake as well. The Deus Swank Rally Ladies being the “sister event” of the Swank Rally Di Sardegna. The winner of the overall winner of the Deus Swank Rally Ladies got to win a ‘ticket to ride’ the next year Swank Rally Di Sardegna. Not the least of rewards we would say. That’s why we want to congratulate with Giada Vezzu’ for a well deserved spot on the roster, hoping she’ll do just as fine and show the boys how it’s done.

All and all, an amazing weekend of full throttle fun! We are looking forward to the Swank Rally Di Sardegna later this month, after which we will return for the second Deus Swank Rally Ladies event next year!

ph. Yoran Van Rossum

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!